Health Topics

Healthy Choices: Reducing Childhood Obesity
“Spinach Punch”

Suggested Grade Levels

K, 1, 2, and 3

Overview

This popular Kids on the Block program was developed by the national office with local input on the educational hand-outs from Kaiser Permanente, Community Health Partnership and the Oregon Dairy Council, in response to the alarming rise in obesity among school-age kids in the US.

Healthy Choices helps children take charge of reversing this distressing trend by learning how to make positive decisions for themselves around eating and staying active. Addressing this issue with young children gives them a chance to develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Script Scenario

In this program, two 5th graders, Michael and Jason, are hanging out after school and deciding what snack to have and how to spend the afternoon. The two have a humorous conversation about the foods they like, and Michael brings up a number of myths and misconceptions about healthy eating.

Jason tells his friend about limiting sweets and fats to keep his weight under control, and he assures Michael that healthy foods can taste great! He also talks about the need to be active every day. The boys decide to eat some fruit, vegetables and low-fat cheese instead of candy, chips or soda, and then they head out to play basketball together.

Objectives

• Help kids think about what they’re eating and how they’re spending their time, and how those decisions affect their bodies.
• Teach the concept of “sometimes foods” and “everyday foods” so that kids learn that junk food isn’t completely taboo, but should be a limited part of their diets.
• Let kids know that healthy foods and exercise can be fun!

Format

This 30-minute program consists of a scripted-story puppet presentation, followed by a guided question and answer session. During the Q & A time, the puppets reinforce learning objectives and encourage children to share their questions and concerns. To extend learning and repeat key lessons, all children receive a take-home Kids on the Block bookmark imprinted with the program’s messages, and they are encouraged to write letters or emails to the puppets. Thanks to Kaiser Permanente’s generosity, this performance also includes a folder with more nutrition information and interesting activities for families to do at home.

Teachers receive a resource packet with topic-related information and activities. They are also supplied with answers to the most common questions children ask about the subject and a way to contact Kids on the Block staff for additional guidance. To help Kids on the Block improve our programs, teachers are asked to complete a short program evaluation form as well.

← Educational Puppet Programs